Over the weekend I celebrated my 21st Birthday, I had such a fabulous time and was made to feel so special by all my family and friends! I will, of course, share my outfit details but I decided for this post to steer away from just fashion and speak about all the amazing things good and bad I've learnt in my 21 years of existence! But first off outfit deets! Just because I am me, I had to have a festival theme and I was so delighted that all of my pals went all out!
Kimono - This is from Lucy's Lounge in Dublin, it was an absolute steal at only €25 especially as it's reversible! Perfect for festival season!
Leotard - H&M €14.99
Fishnets - Pretty Little Thing €7
Feather Boa - Dealz €1.50
Goggles - Ebay €10
Cow Print Material - Ebay €4
21 Years Has Taught Me This,
Self-love is the most important love...
I don't mean this in a walk around cocky and arrogant type of way but what I do mean is love the skin you are in. Nobody is perfect and I think everyone, especially in the digital age we live in, can think of something or a number of things that they dislike or even hate about themselves. Often I think we then focus on the things we don't like and forget the good things about ourselves. Embrace your flaws and you will begin to love them. Engage in small acts of self-love and self-care on a regular basis even if it means something as small shaving your legs or doing a facemask. Do what makes you feel good!
Not everyone is gonna like you...
Naturally, we want to please people but there are simply some people you cannot please. As soon as you realise that some people just do not like you even if it's for no apparent reason at all, you're free. I swear it has been the most liberating thing I have realised in my life. My approach to it now is analysing that person and what might be going on in their own life. Often I find that people who dislike you for no reason are simply jealous or overcoming their own personal issues. Give them time to get over it, be polite if you see them.
Comparison Killzzz...
I mentioned in the self-love paragraph about the digital age we live in. Most of us consume hundreds of pictures on social media daily of models and instagals so it is easy to fall into this trap of constantly feeling not good enough, skinny enough or stylish enough. I was so bad for this and I think the best way to overcome it is to just forget the people you're comparing yourself with. Nobody wants a copy, people want an original person to follow on social media. With originality and no comparing comes confidence and you're then bound to attract positive vibes!
Material things are not everything...
Of course, it is nice when we get something new. Especially if it is something you have wanted for ages or saved for. But I think again in the digital age there is such an unnecessary importance given to what you own or have. The way I see it is no flashy bag or high-end brand is going to make me happy or healthy. It is simply going to portray a certain image of me to society which I feel I can do myself!
Travel as much as you can...
slightly linked to the previous paragraph, because travelling will bring more joy and memories than almost all materialistic things. Working abroad for 5 months about 3 weeks after my 18th birthday was one of the best things I have ever done. It taught me how to be completely independent at quite a young age. Even weekend trips abroad to different European cities are such a learning experience. You meet people from everywhere and learn their story. I am so excited to travel again this summer!!!
It's ok not to be ok...
Sometimes I feel like people hide the things they are going through in a fear of being a burden on the person they are telling or maybe because they are ashamed. Keeping it in helps nothing. Having suffered with an eating disorder on/off in my own life I know from first-hand experience that speaking about it is honestly the best relief most of the time. Also crying works wonders. Just let it all out and I swear 99% of the time you feel better afterwards.
Everything happens for a reason...
I literally think everything in our lives that we go through, good or bad, is meant to happen in order for us to become who we need to be. When things go bad this can be impossible to understand and it's easy to question why me? or how could this happen? but it is upon reflection I think realisation occurs. In the darkest days of my own illness, I couldnt get my head around why it had to happen to me. But now I realise that it made/makes me who I am today.
We also learn from past experiences and mistakes.
You control your life...
The law of attraction cannot be argued. If you think postively, postive things will happen. I didn't quite understand this until I read a book called "You Can Heal Your Life" By Louise Hay. I honestly cannot recommend it enough. It has given me a whole new perspective on life and myself.
If you're still reading, thank you. Having had quite a tough start to the year and then really turning things around for myself I guess sharing my own experiences of things has been something I have wanted to do for a while but didn't know how to go about it. Being 21 obviously does make you older and wiser! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my life so far and made it such a great time! Life is so exciting, appreciate it more!
Here's a throwback to baby me!!!
Grainne
x
